-
Born-Alive Infants Butchered to Death — No News Here
April 11, 2013 | 11 comments
-
Refuting the Libertarian Argument on Marriage
March 28, 2013 | 2 comments
-
New, Young Faces of the Pro-Life Movement
February 20, 2013 | 2 comments
-
Friedman: Liberals Are ‘Pro-Life’ For Banning Soda
October 31, 2012 | 5 comments
-
Will Charlotte Taxpayers Be on the Hook For Democrats’ Party?
October 29, 2012 | 6 comments
The Spectacle Blog
To round out your reading on the British riots, I first recommend today’s offerings on the main AmSpec site (here and here). But be sure to puruse this equally worthy piece by Max Hastings in the Mail Online. It’s clear evidence that destructive social policy — from winking at crime to rewarding single motherhood to shunning legitimate discipline of children — has a lasting impact on a culture’s health, including its economic vibrancy.
The unnerving aspect is that the United States might be a decade or two removed from the United Kingdom’s youthful chaos. Much of the blame, Hastings argues, can be laid at the feet of liberals who fear calling bad behavior bad, and enacting punishment. Frequently, Western cultures no longer feel comfortable punishing negative behavior. Indeed, we often reward it with a welfare check.
Consider an able-bodied young man or woman. Don’t want to work? Government will step in and provide out of a misguided sense that the rest of society owes these people a free ride. It’s a classic example of a hand out rather than a hand up.
What’s to blame? Hastings has an idea:
The breakdown of families, the pernicious promotion of single motherhood as a desirable state, the decline of domestic life so that even shared meals are a rarity, have all contributed importantly to the condition of the young underclass.
The British riots are another link between a society’s social and economic health. Stable, two-parent families would not have produced such a stampede of vengeful rioters. In the moral vacuum brought about by Europe’s abandonment of Christianity and the Judeo-Christian ethic, mixed with scant punishment for crime, young people have no reason to behave responsibly. “Love your neighbor” rings hallow when hedonism and moral relativism are the order of the day.
Family structure, faith, and moral teaching do matter. Liberals don’t acknowledge that truth, instead relying on government intervention, including through “education.” The U.K. riots are the result.
View all comments (15) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by David N. Bass
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/08/11/riotous-living-in-london
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
Current Issue
- A Nation on the Edge
- Ailes: A Voice for the Silent Majority
- Consternated Conferences
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Ken (Old Texican)| 8.11.11 @ 12:02PM
Bass,
well spoken.
WL| 8.11.11 @ 12:32PM
Good thoughts Mr. Bass...except one Glaring problem with your analysis....
WHAT ON EARTH makes you think we are "a decade or two" away from it....????
We are closer than you think....MUCH CLOSER.
Pete| 8.11.11 @ 12:50PM
But in the US, in most places and at least for now, we may defend ourselves, our families, and our property.
WL| 8.11.11 @ 2:23PM
Pete...
Yes, I agree...
Most people rightly focused on the "causes" and "government response" to the riots....
And I am sure that you will agree that the MOST saddening thing of it all...is watching how the citizens were so mentally, physically, and technically (i.e. firearms) POWERLESS to respond and defend their property etc... It really hurt my heart.
Although, I do think that you are correct that our ability to defend ourselves makes a HUGE difference...I think these situations will still happen here...the will just end........A LITTLE QUICKER.
Occam's Tool| 8.11.11 @ 3:21PM
WL--under the Crown, the police are your avenue of defense, and you can be prosecuted for defending yourself.
Pelligrino| 8.11.11 @ 2:00PM
Mr. Bass, thank you. In your second to last paragraph you hit it: Christian faith.
There is no getting around it; Christian faith is the foundation which vaulted Great Britain and the USA to the heights. And, as we now abandon it (have completely already abandoned it in England and Europe), we reap the results.
The analysis need be no deeper than that.
Chrisitians are certainly not perfect. Far from it. But a Christian raised 20 year old standing in front of a smashed in JD Sports store window (with scores of looters already inside and hastily departing with new athletic attire in their arms) should be pausing, stopping himself, and saying, "No, I can't. I'm not going in." Even if his mates are egging him on to "Just do it."
In fact, he'd be chastising himself in the coming days for 1) being there in the first place, and 2) not being far more forceful in dissuading his mates from partaking in the utter foolishness and thievery.
It is Christian mores that tell us of family values, the sanctity of marriage, the follies of divorce and marital unfaithfulness. It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives that we need. When mom and dad dedicate their lives, their marriage, and their family to God, the children are raised properly.
And we then would not see the senseless greed, immaturity, vandalism, property destruction, contempt for authority, and evil arson of the last five-six days.
Mr. Bass, your brief words are the first I've yet seen in recent days on the central problem in Britain (and MANY other places): The abandonment of Christianity. That is simply it.
Occam's Tool| 8.11.11 @ 3:20PM
Correct. The British are G-dless Shite.
Too Many Tims| 8.11.11 @ 2:29PM
London calling to the faraway towns
Now that war is declared-and battle come down
London calling to the underworld
Come out of the cupboard, all you boys and girls
London calling, now don't look at us
All that phoney Beatlemania has bitten the dust
London calling, see we ain't got no swing
'Cept for the ring of that truncheon thing
http://londonsburning.org/lyr_london_calling.html
Occam's Tool| 8.11.11 @ 3:19PM
Hastings, however, overlooks proper patriotism, and in his other writings supports Islamic terrorism.
Occam's Tool| 8.11.11 @ 3:23PM
Reference on Hastings, who also is G-dless Shite---http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2006/aug/14/terrorism.syria.
In short, Hastings no longer supports the West, then is surprised when it falls. Gormless Git.
W| 8.11.11 @ 3:40PM
This was all predicted in a book by Peter Hitchens,brother of Christopher Hitchesn, titled "Abolition of Britain." It also describes the path our country is on.
Occam's Tool| 8.11.11 @ 4:02PM
Brilliant book by Peter. Have it, read it.
W| 8.11.11 @ 8:12PM
Occam, you are correct, this site has the smartest people.
Flee| 8.11.11 @ 4:11PM
The liberal mindset is not love thy neighbor but sext your neighbor. And your neighbor's child if present. No respect for private property because they think it is all the result of illgotten gains. There were videos earlier this year of groups telling students that the time for anarchy was near in Britain. I presume they knew of what they spoke because the buildings are burning. It may also be a result of a populace disarmed. I venture to guess if Britons were able to arm themselves there would be less likelyhood that anarchic teens would be stepping up to the plate with fire bombs. A few shots in their general direction would have changed a few hearts and minds.
All American American| 8.11.11 @ 5:27PM
Its closer than a decade or so here. Its happening. Philadelphia, Chicago, Milwaukee, etc etc have seen mobs of black youths attacking innocent white bystanders. Police there are unwilling to call it for what it is--racially motivated terrorism.
As to the 2nd Amendment, there is no 2A in these places for all intents and purposes. Therefore these animals are free to roam and loot and beat without fear of a .45ACP hollow point between the eyes. I would almost reckon that if someone in Philadelphia did pull out a Glock or 1911 and defended themselves against this mob it would be THEY who was prosecuted for "illegal possession" of a firearm, illegal discharge, manslaughter (if not murder 2--hell maybe murder 1), etc. Not to mention your usual race-baiters would descend upon the city decrying the person who shot the poor, poor disenfranchised black youth who was just acting out on generations of anger against "the man."